HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING
Call to Worship: Zechariah 13:1, Psalm 87:1-3, 7
Advent is a season of longing, and something about this season highlights for me how many of the longings and desires of my heart go unfulfilled on this side of eternity. But every desire should be an arrow that points us to the source of our greatest desire: God Himself. As we sing these Advent and Christmas songs that speak to our longings, we can be honest with God and with one another, as we look to Jesus the One who is the fulfillment of our deepest longings. Let’s sing…
COME THOU LONG-EXPECTED JESUS | JESUS WHAT A FRIEND FOR SINNERS
I SHALL NOT WANT
Reading: Luke 2:8-21
Sermon: John 4:1-24
Scripture tells us that no one seeks God. If you are here this morning as a follower of Jesus, you are not following Jesus because you went looking for Jesus, rather, like the woman at the well, you were searching for life, hope, and fulfillment on your own when Jesus moved toward you. He is the One that we adore because He has revealed himself to us. Would you stand if you’re able, let’s sing…
O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL
JOY TO THE WORLD (UNSPEAKABLE JOY)
Reading: John 7:37-39
Advent Candle Lighting/Benediction
Psalm 75
God Will Judge with Equity
To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Psalm of Asaph. A Song.
We give thanks to you, O God;
we give thanks, for your name is near.
We recount your wondrous deeds.“At the set time that I appoint
I will judge with equity.When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants,
it is I who keep steady its pillars. SelahI say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’
and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn;do not lift up your horn on high,
or speak with haughty neck.’”For not from the east or from the west
and not from the wilderness comes lifting up,but it is God who executes judgment,
putting down one and lifting up another.For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup
with foaming wine, well mixed,
and he pours out from it,
and all the wicked of the earth
shall drain it down to the dregs.But I will declare it forever;
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.All the horns of the wicked I will cut off,
but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.
The One who established the foundations of the world, the One who upholds the universe by the Word of His power, the One who in all things hold together, is the One who keeps steady the shaking world. Are you allowing your life to be held by the One who holds all things?
Knowing If It's Time To Move On
Seasons end and new seasons begin. Sometimes these are endings we choose, sometimes they are thrust upon us. Sometimes things fade slowly over time, sometimes things are done in a moment. But how do you know if it is time to move on from a place where you have invested a season (or more) of your life?
There are no easy answers, but I do know that uprooting your life, your community, and your serving should give you pause. This is a decision that should be considered in prayer, seeking the discernment of the Holy Spirit, and being engaged in the community.
Ask questions. Am I running from something? If God is pursuing some specific space in our sin-sick hearts, you will never be able to outrun Him. You can avoid, and ignore all you want, but the same sin-sick heart will follow you everywhere. Do I think the grass is greener? Ministry is hard everywhere. Don’t allow one interaction or a rough season to send you spiraling, and searching for a better life somewhere else. What is the most loving thing to do at this moment?
Seek wise counsel. If you are lucky, maybe this is a pastor or elder at your church, who can help you navigate if God may be leading you toward a new season of life and ministry. Be wise in seeking your wise counsel - this is not for the purpose of gossip or airing of grievances, but inviting someone to walk with you as you seek the Spirit together.
Exhaust your options. Don’t run, press in again, and again, and again. By the empowering of the Holy Spirit, seek to live as Romans 12:18 says, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
Pray, pray, pray. Listen more than you speak.
Be honest, with yourself and others. Don’t lie, or exaggerate. But also be aware that not everyone is safe. That not everyone needs to hear the whole story. Sometimes the most loving thing to do, the most truthful thing to do, is to keep your mouth open to God and closed to others.
Benedictine monks take three vows: a vow of stability, a vow of fidelity, and a vow of obedience. Vows tether us and remind us of the larger story to which we belong. Vows hold us secure when things are hard and painful and we are tempted to give up, give in, or walk away. Most of us will not take vows to serve on staff, or as a volunteer within the local church - although we may take membership vows to our local church - but the picture of stability is one that we should all desire to emulate in our life as followers of Jesus, and wherever He leads.
The truth is, the church is made up of broken people. There will be sin and brokenness in every church we attend, serve, labor, and work. But there is a difference between sinful brokenness and toxic abuse. If you think you may be in an abusive situation, you need to get to help and safety quickly. Find a counselor, mentor, or therapist who can help you navigate the complexities of your situation.
Staying is hard. Leaving is hard. Learn from the wisdom and mistakes of others who have walked a similar path. I found this conversation between Beth Moore and Russell Moore to be so helpful on this topic. You can listen to it here.
Luke 2:8-20
LUKE 2:8-20
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Glory is revealed in a moment to the shepherds - the glory of God breaks the darkness of night and shines around. The shepherds behold the glory of God in the praise and worship of the angels, and they discover Jesus in the manager and behold the glory of God in the face of the Son. What glory are you beholding today?
All My Heart This Night Rejoices
All my heart this night rejoices
as I hear
far and near
sweetest angel voices.
"Christ is born!" their choirs are singing
till the air
ev'rywhere
now with joy is ringing.
Hear! The Conqueror has spoken:
"Now the foe,
sin and woe,
death and hell and broken!"
God is man, man to deliver,
and the Son
now is one
with our blood forever.
Should we fear our God's displeasure,
who, to save,
freely gave
his most precious treasure?
To redeem us he has given
his own Son
from the throne
of his might in heaven.
See the Lamb, our sin once taking
to the cross,
suff'ring loss,
full atonement making.
For our life his own he tenders,
and his grace
all our race
fit for glory renders.
Softly from his lowly manger
Jesus calls one and all,
"You are safe from danger.
Children, from the sins that grieve you
you are freed;
all you need
I will surely give you."
Come, then, banish all your sadness,
one and all,
great and small;
come with songs of gladness;
we shall live with him forever
there on high
in that joy
which will vanish never.s
Shall we your Godhead see.
We cannot celebrate in isolation the birth of Christ. Our celebrations of Christ’s birth should be fueled by the reality that the rescue plan of God continues - that the cross is the ultimate victory over satan, sin, and death and that Christ will return once again to usher in a celebration that will never end. How might your Advent season be marked by celebrating the reality of Christ’s rule and return?
11 December: Liturgy + Set List
BEHOLD
Call to Worship: Psalm 34:1-5
Good morning and welcome to worship on this third Sunday of Advent. That is why we gather, to look to the One who is glorious, to look to the One who is fully God, and yet fully man. To the One who set aside His glory to take on our flesh in complete humility. We look to the One who made us, sustains us, redeems us, and loves us. Let’s sing…
GRACE ALONE
SILENT NIGHT (SON OF GOD, SON OF MAN)
Reading: Luke 2:1-7
Sermon: John 3:1-15
So many stories in Scripture close and we are left to wonder, what happened next? Do you know we see Nicodemus one other time in Scripture? When Jesus is crucified, two men come to care for His crucified body - Joseph of Arimathea, and Nicodemus. My dad says often ‘No true encounter with Christ ever leaves us the same.’ Nicodemus encountered Jesus and it didn’t just make him a better version of Himself, it made him a new person. That is what we all need - to encounter Christ and be transformed from death to life. Let’s sing in response to God’s Word preached:
O HOLY NIGHT (O HEAR THE GOSPEL STORY)
Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7
Advent Candle Lighting/Benediction
Psalm 65
O God of Our Salvation
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. A Song.
Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion,
and to you shall vows be performed.O you who hear prayer,
to you shall all flesh come.When iniquities prevail against me,
you atone for our transgressions.Blessed is the one you choose and bring near,
to dwell in your courts!
We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house,
the holiness of your temple!By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness,
O God of our salvation,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas;the one who by his strength established the mountains,
being girded with might;who stills the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
the tumult of the peoples,so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs.
You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.You visit the earth and water it;
you greatly enrich it;
the river of God is full of water;
you provide their grain,
for so you have prepared it.You water its furrows abundantly,
settling its ridges,
softening it with showers,
and blessing its growth.You crown the year with your bounty;
your wagon tracks overflow with abundance.The pastures of the wilderness overflow,
the hills gird themselves with joy,the meadows clothe themselves with flocks,
the valleys deck themselves with grain,
they shout and sing together for joy.
Blessed is the one you choose to bring near… We are called blessed because God has chosen to draw near to us. The care with which God covers, sustains, and nourishes the earth is but a glimpse of the deep care He has for His people. What ways have you experienced the care and kindness of God this week? How might you become more aware of God’s nearness, and blessing today?
Seeker Sensitive Worship
Churches have varying opinions about the point and purpose of the corporate worship gathering. Is it primarily to experience God? Is it primarily to teach the Bible? Is it for the purpose of evangelism, and attracting the community?
My personal conviction is that the purpose of the corporate gathering is for the spiritual formation of God’s people. That we gather to disciple and be discipled. That conviction shapes the way I think about the songs I choose, the liturgies I create, and the way that I communicate. However, that does not mean that I approach the gathering expecting that only followers of Jesus who are seeking to be conformed to the image of Christ are present. I think every week that we gather there are people who are walking with God, people who are far from God, people who are not Christians, and people who believe they are Christians but in reality, are not.
This too shapes the way I consider our gathering. In the same way, I want to be aware there are children in the room during a family worship weekend, I want to be aware that every time we gather there are people in the room who do not know, love, or follow Jesus.
If you’re here this morning as a follower of Christ… I preface much of what I share with this phrase. My hope in using these words is twofold, first, so that we would never assume that everyone sitting in our rows is a Christian. Second, there are things we are saying, singing, professing, proclaiming, receiving, and believing that will only be true for those who know and follow Jesus.
Explain what is happening, and why. Rubrics are helpful on this front. We want people to be uncomfortable for the right reasons. We want guests to know how and when they participate, and what are the expectations as we gather.
Use language that is clear, and without condescension. Our words matter and can be used to clarify or confuse those who attend our services. There must be a balance in being generous and welcoming in our language without being overly simplistic, and talking down to the unfamiliar.
Finally, present the gospel clearly. This is why I love using the Gospel Song Liturgy as the way we move through our set lists. Our songs can help tell the story of the sovereignty of God, the brokenness of sin, the glory of Christ’s cross, and the hope of our own resurrection, and Christ’s return. May all people walk away from our gatherings knowing who Jesus is and what He has done.
Luke 1:46-55
LUKE 1:46-55
Mary's Song of Praise: The Magnificat
And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
To receive requires humility. Responding to God in faith and trust is built in the minutes and moments of our days - in a long obedience in the same direction.
How are you listening for the voice of God in your life? Are you making space for His divine interruptions?
O Come Divine Messiah
O come, divine Messiah;
The world in silence waits the day
When hope shall sing its triumph
And sadness flee away.
Dear Savior, haste! Come, come to earth.
Dispel the night and show your face,
and bid us hail the dawn of grace.
O come, divine Messiah;
the world in silence waits the day
when hope shall sing its triumph
and sadness flee away.
O Christ, whom nations sigh for,
Whom priest and prophet long foretold,
Come, break the captive's fetters,
Redeem the long-lost fold.
You come in peace and meekness
And lowly will your cradle be;
All clothed in human weakness
Shall we your Godhead see.
Christ has come, and Christ will come again. As you celebrate Christ’s first Advent, how might your life look different in anticipation of His second Advent?
4 December: Liturgy + Set List
JOY TO THE WORLD (UNSPEAKABLE JOY)
Call to Worship: Isaiah 55:1-2,6-9
Advent confronts us with the reality that from our physical needs to our spiritual needs, and our greatest need - to be made right with God the Father - you and I are incapable of saving ourselves. But Advent reminds us that God is with us, God is among us, God is for us, and God saves us. That is the good news of great joy - that we cannot save ourselves, but God, in and through Christ saves us. Let’s sing and celebrate together:
GREAT THINGS/ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH
TRISAGION
Reading: Luke 1:39-45
Sermon: John 2:1-12
I think about how in the Old Testament, Moses - this towering figure, the servant of the Lord asks God, ‘Show me your glory.’ And God says, ‘No… but I will let my glory pass by you.’ A little later on King David - this man after God’s own heart says, ‘There is one thing I ask of the Lord, there is one thing I desire, one thing I seek after - gaze upon the beauty and glory of the Lord and to dwell in his house forever.’ The New Testament tells us that we see ‘the glory of God in the face of the Son.’ Brothers and sisters, if you are here as a follower of Jesus, you have seen and experienced the glory of God in a way that Moses and David never did. Let Advent be a reminder to you to cease striving, and simply receive. Let’s celebrate God’s revealed glory, would you stand if you’re able, we’ll sing together.
A THOUSAND HALLELUJAHS
BEHOLD
Reading: John 1:9-14
Benediction/Advent Candle Lighting
Psalm 66
How Awesome Are Your Deeds
To the choirmaster. A Song. A Psalm.
Shout for joy to God, all the earth;
sing the glory of his name;
give to him glorious praise!Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.All the earth worships you
and sings praises to you;
they sing praises to your name.” SelahCome and see what God has done:
he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.He turned the sea into dry land;
they passed through the river on foot.
There did we rejoice in him,who rules by his might forever,
whose eyes keep watch on the nations—
let not the rebellious exalt themselves. SelahBless our God, O peoples;
let the sound of his praise be heard,who has kept our soul among the living
and has not let our feet slip.For you, O God, have tested us;
you have tried us as silver is tried.You brought us into the net;
you laid a crushing burden on our backs;you let men ride over our heads;
we went through fire and through water;
yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.I will come into your house with burnt offerings;
I will perform my vows to you,that which my lips uttered
and my mouth promised when I was in trouble.I will offer to you burnt offerings of fattened animals,
with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams;
I will make an offering of bulls and goats. SelahCome and hear, all you who fear God,
and I will tell what he has done for my soul.I cried to him with my mouth,
and high praise was on my tongue.If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened.But truly God has listened;
he has attended to the voice of my prayer.Blessed be God,
because he has not rejected my prayer
or removed his steadfast love from me!
Pain and celebration can coexist. We recognize that our world and our lives are marred by sin, but the life of Christ is working ongoing redemption in the lives of His people, and in the world itself. How can you hold these tensions today - acknowledging the pain and brokenness of the world, and celebrating the redeeming work of Christ?